Costa Mesa Highland Games 2013

**OC Richard** · 26th May 13, 06:12 AM

I was there all day yesterday. Games are more fun in some ways when I'm not playing in a band, because I can spend more time catching up with old friends, drinking way too much Guinness, and taking loads of photos.

First photo of the day, solo piping in the morning. It was a bit chilly so tweed was in order for many of us, including this piping judge

Around noon was the Drum Major competition. All three of the Grade One bands in attendance took turns playing for it. Here is Triumph Street playing for the first heat

Alberta Caledonian playing for the Drum Majors in their new bespoke tartan kilts

Some Drum Majors waiting for their turn. It was announced that the Drum Major competition has had a huge increase in recent years, growing from a few competitors a decade ago to over 40 now

A bit of Americana, the Los Angeles Fifes & Drums

Curious signage at the Games... do you really enter the men's toilet for meat pies?

The Kevin R Blandford Memorial Pipe Band warming up. They had a big pipe section with a lovely full tone. The blonde guy on the left is a police officer and a fine piper, the fellow with the whiskers a great musician, accomplished on a number of instruments

The piper in the centre is another multi-talented guy: accomplished Highland dancer and kilt maker as well as being a solid musician

More photos to come!

**OC Richard** · 26th May 13, 06:35 AM

And time for Pipe Band competition! The same band marching out of the circle

The Robert Malcolm Memorial Pipe Band. Little wonder that Simon Fraser University Pipe Band is among the world's best, when you see how young and how good these players are. In a few years many of these youths will be playing in the Grade One circle at The Worlds

The dapper judges

Triumph Street, who won Grade One yesterday

Alberta Caledonian, who for many years wore the Caledonia tartan, in their new bespoke tartan

**eclarkhb** · 27th May 13, 11:37 AM

I'll tack on to OC Richard's thread with some more pics from Costa Mesa.

Here's AlanH & I after athletics all day on Sunday. We both did really well:

Here's me with a caber:

Some of the athletes in the Men's B Class, hangin out & looking athletic:

We finished early, so I got to walk around a bit & enjoy the festival with my lovely wife:

**sydnie7** · 27th May 13, 01:35 PM

Bob and I were there both days, saw Alan and his wife! Also a quick visit with Greg (1oldsarge) and the new light of his life. I was in the middle of some knitting and completely forgot to get their picture! I did get a few of the memorial service Sunday, when Bob (thanks to his Leatherneck kilt) got drafted into service holding the USMC flag. I'll get them posted once I figure out how to get them off my new too-smart-for-me phone.
It was a lovely weekend, sorry to have missed the rest of you but we'll be at Vista for sure!

**cessna152towser** · 27th May 13, 01:42 PM

Great pics folks, looks like a super games, and a good attendance of xmarkers.

**Elizabeth** · 27th May 13, 02:25 PM

The family and I attended both days. I am not great at recognizing people, thought I probably was standing right by Richard a few times at the pipe band competition. Here is a photo of my son, myself and hubby by the antique cars.

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**HighlandMike** · 27th May 13, 08:28 PM

What a blast; my first day out in a kilt and now, not surprisingly, I'm hooked. The Fest was great fun and while we didn't manage to connect with anyone from here, we will definitely be doing it again.